Footballers head to Portugal for training camp

Galway Advertiser, Wed, Mar 16, 2016

The Galway senior football squad headed to Portugal on Tuesday morning for a five-day training camp.

The team has two massive division two league games coming up against Fermanagh (March 27 at Tuam Stadium ) and Cavan (April 3 at Breffni Park ), and two wins in those games would see Galway promoted to Division One for 2017.

Beating a high-flying Cavan away in three weeks will be a tough assignment and hopefully the few days of training in warmer weather will improve their chances.

Team manager Kevin Walsh said building spirit and camaraderie in the squad was as important as anything that can be achieved out on the training fields.

“The thought process behind it is blending the older group with the younger group, because we have some older players coming back in now after injuries.

“It’s important to get in early. It’s only a few days and it’s a learning process for all of these guys.”

Galway will face perennial provincial champions Mayo in the Connacht championship in June in McHale Park and anything that increases the squad's chances of defeating a team that is going for six Connacht championships on the trot will be supported by those who follow GAA in the county.

Stephen Rochford's Mayo squad will be well prepared for that clash too. The current kingpins of Connacht football are staying in London for a week-long training camp after their Connacht championship opener against the Exiles on May 29. They have opted to make use of some of the top-class sporting facilities in the English capital, and will extend their stay there rather than travel to a warm-weather training destination.

Mayo, who were beaten by Kerry last weekend, will face stiff opposition from a resurgent Roscommon in the next round of the league at Hyde Park (March 27 ).

The Rossies who are doing well in division one under the joint management of Kevin McStay and Fergal O'Donnell, will also be abroad later in the year when they face New York in the Connacht championship.